June 7, 2012

Sex offender barred from schools running for local Utah school board

As reported in this local article, headlined "Registered child sex offender runs for school board," a candidate for a school board in Utah is garnering a lot of extra attention for something he did two decades ago. Here are the details:

A convicted sex offender is hoping to be elected for a seat at the Granite School Board. Dick Wagner Jones, 67, of Holladay, committed his crime more than two decades ago and served five years in prison for it, with 10 years of parole. And since his offense involved a minor, Jones will be on the Utah sex offender registry until 2015.

It would make for an unusual problem for the school district if he is elected since Jones’ criminal history bars him from being around schools. Granite Board of Education President Gayleen Gandy says there is not much she can say about the candidacy of Jones. “To be honest, I don’t expect it will deflect a whole lot of attention. Anyone who’d like to run, can register as a candidate,” says Gandy....

If Jones is elected to the Granite School Board this fall, there are stipulations in the law that would allow him to visit schools for business. However, Jones would need to have his visits approved beforehand and they would have to happen when no students are present. Granite School District officials say they are unable to comment on the candidacy of any individual regardless of the situation.

Of course, eligibility of ex-offenders to vote and run for office is a matter of state law. Apparently, Utah is rather "liberal" in allowing ex-offenders to run for office. In the majority of the US, this candidate would be barred from running due to his prior record.

With a former sex offender, I am not convinced that not being caught means that he has been a model citizen for ten to fifteen years. Sex offenses against children tend to be significantly underreported.

Posted by: TMM | Jun 8, 2012 1:00:11 PM

TMM SAYS: "Sex offenses against children tend to be significantly underreported"

A link to your unbiased and official study/report please?????

I don't want your personal opinion. I want facts!!!

Posted by: Book38 | Jun 8, 2012 10:01:55 PM

anyone who would vote for an icky perv for school board should have their head examined.

erika :)

Posted by: Erika | Jun 9, 2012 1:15:29 PM

...and some people have no life, so they just troll the boards.

Posted by: Book38 | Jun 9, 2012 8:58:21 PM

His sex offense was adjudicated as a misdemeanor. Felons are prohibited from running for any state office (including school boards) in Utah, according to their state Constitution.

"With a former sex offender, I am not convinced that not being caught means that he has been a model citizen for ten to fifteen years. Sex offenses against children tend to be significantly underreported."